Introduction Routiers were mercenary soldiers of the Middle Ages. Their particular distinction from other paid soldiers of the time was that they were organised into bands (rutta or routes). The term is first used in the 12th century but is particularly associated with free companies who terrorised the French countryside during the Hundred Years’ War.… Read More
What is the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 (UK)?
Introduction The Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 (33 & 34 Vict c 90) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that seeks to regulate mercenary activities of British citizens. It received royal assent on 09 August 1870. Background There was no common law prohibition on enlistment in foreign militaries, and mercenary services predated… Read More
What is a Mercenary?
Introduction A mercenary (sometimes shortened to merc) – also called a soldier of fortune, a hired gun, a freelance, or a sellsword – is a private individual who joins a military conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any other official military. Mercenaries fight for… Read More
What is the Convention on Cluster Munitions (2008)?
Introduction The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster munitions, a type of explosive weapon which scatters submunitions (“bomblets”) over an area. Additionally, the convention establishes a framework to support victim assistance, clearance of contaminated sites, risk reduction education, and stockpile destruction. The… Read More
An Overview of British Armed Forces Pensions
1.0 Introduction This article is not to be considered as legal or financial advice, and is written to provide an illustration of the current and legacy pension schemes in place. 1.1 Terms 1.2 Types of Commitment Benefits and allowances (including pensions) are related to the type of service commitment an individual is under: 1.3 How… Read More
What was the Combatant Status Review Tribunal?
Introduction The Combatant Status Review Tribunals (CSRT) were a set of tribunals for confirming whether detainees held by the United States at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp had been correctly designated as “enemy combatants“. The CSRTs were established 07 July 2004 by order of US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz after US Supreme Court… Read More
What was an Ilag?
Introduction Ilag is an abbreviation of the German word Internierungslager. They were internment camps established by the German Army in World War II to hold Allied civilians, caught in areas that were occupied by the German Army. They included United States citizens caught in Europe by surprise when war was declared in December 1941 and… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 